The House of Representatives Sept. 19 passed the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 (H.R. 4378), a continuing resolution (CR) which temporarily extends the fiscal year (FY) 2019 funding levels for discretionary spending and some mandatory health programs through Nov. 21.
If enacted, the legislation would avert a government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1 because none of the twelve FY 2020 spending bills have been signed into law. The CR passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 301-123.
The CR also contains provisions to extend several health programs that are set to expire on Sept. 30, 2019. The package would delay reductions in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotments; prorate the funding for the Community Health Centers, Teaching Health Centers, and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) at current levels; and extend the authorization for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to receive funding from its associated trust fund, through Nov. 21.
The Senate is expected to consider the legislation the week of Sept. 23. If passed by the Senate, the bill would also require the president’s signature before Oct. 1.
- Washington Highlights